"Expectations in New England have been through the roof for the majority of the last 25 years, and that has continued even in the post-Tom Brady and Bill Belichick years. Although those seasons haven't been too kind to the Patriots, the fans and the media haven't lowered their standards for what football should be in Foxboro, which only heightened once Mike Vrabel was hired this offseason."
"Because some of his stats land him in the top-10 or higher among quarterbacks this season, it was inevitable that Maye was going to be asked how he felt about that during a very telling second season with the Patriots. Maye's response sounded too much like what you'd expect from Brady, as he emphasized that his individual achievements mean nothing and that winning is most important."
"A significant reason for this is the team's failures in the first three games, which resulted in a 1-2 record primarily due to a collapse against very beatable teams. Despite that, Maye's performance has gone under the radar, as he has been more productive than most would assume, but it's not something the young quarterback is thinking about going into a must-win game against the Panthers. It's the exact kind of attitude that fans might say is reminiscent of Tom Brady."
Expectations in New England have remained extremely high for about 25 years and persisted after Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Fan and media standards for Patriots football stayed elevated, and the hiring of Mike Vrabel increased scrutiny. Jerod Mayo's disappointing 2024 season added pressure on Vrabel and shifted attention to Drake Maye. Maye's promising rookie stretch raised expectations for a major second-year jump that has not fully materialized. Early-season team collapses produced a 1-2 record despite Maye being more productive than many assume. Maye emphasizes winning over individual stats and demonstrates a mature, team-first attitude.
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